Belvilla Ilford Station Hotel, 4 min from Elizabeth line

The location was good, but the hotel was a mess. Our toilet had no working light, so we were told to use the one in the next room. When I went there the next morning, someone was using it, which left us without a toilet for the stay. We’d booked and paid for two rooms, but all five of us had to share the toilet on the third floor. Avoid it.

The room was reasonably clean and decent, but far too hot in summer, and the road noise was bad. The tap was left running hot water into a mug when I arrived, which was bizarre, and there wasn’t even a chair for the desk. I contacted customer service about the lack of AC, but nobody came to help. I’d stay well away.

The room felt like a prison cell, with shabby furniture, exposed plaster and a constant humming noise from a facility outside. There were mouse traps and bait stations on the landings. My work colleague in the room next door couldn’t sleep because more than five people in one room kept making noise after 10 pm. The photos and reviews are a complete lie. I won’t be back, and wouldn’t recommend it to anyone, even someone homeless. A total disgrace.

The place was filthy. There were orange-brown splashes on the walls, crusty bits on the carpet, grime around the taps and bathroom, and skid marks already in the toilet. The bedding had hair on it, and there was dried food or sauce on the pillows, at least I hope that’s what it was. We were so grossed out that we slept fully dressed on top of the beds, keeping away from the walls. Another review from two months earlier described the same problems, and it doesn’t seem the owner has done anything. Just grim, avoid it.